Daylily plant named Fragrant Treasure

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of daylily plant named Fragrant Treasure, characterized by its large light yellow flowers with ruffled edges and curved shape, fade resistant flowers, very long blooming season in Pennsylvania of from June 15 until October, and by its flowers being open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in summer after starting to open the previous night.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of daylilywhich belongs to the genus Hemerocallis, and is hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name Fragrant Treasure.

Fragrant Treasure is a product of a planned breeding program which hadthe general objective of creating new daylily cultivars with highlydesirable reblooming characteristics, and a stronger, pleasantfragrance.

Fragrant Treasure was originated from a hybridization made by theinventors Darrel A. Apps and Ronald C. Iverson in a controlled breedingprogram in Chadds Ford, Pa. in 1987. The female parent was theunpatented cultivar Brocaded Gown. The male parent of Fragrant Treasurewas the unpatented cultivar HAPPY RETURNS, referred to in more detailbelow.

Fragrant Treasure was discovered and selected as one flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross by the inventors on Jun. 10, 1987in a controlled environment in Chadds Ford, Pa.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Fragrant Treasure wasaccomplished when divisions were taken from the initial selection onSep. 1, 1988 in a controlled environment in Chadds Ford, Pa. by theinventors.

Horticultural examination of selected units initiated Jul. 15, 1989 hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Fragrant Treasure are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Fragrant Treasure has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length,without, however, any variance in the genotype. The followingobservations measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown inChadds Ford, Pa. under field conditions which approximate thosegenerally used in commerical practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Fragrant Treasure, which in combinationdistinguish this lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Individual ramets (fans) produce 3-4 flowering scapes in each season;

2. Flowers are highly fragrant, having a generally sweet scent;

3. Mature height of flowering scapes is 22 inches;

4. Individual flowers are 4 inches across, light yellow, ruffled and sunresistant;

5. Individual flowers start to open the evening before, but do not fullyopen until 6:00 a.m. on the day of flowering and stay open until 10:00p.m.;

6. Bloom season in Pennsylvania is exceptionally long, starting June 15and continuing until October;

7. Foliage is approximately 15 inches long;

8. Roots mostly fibrous, but somewhat enlarged on two year fans.

of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to Fragrant Treasure is the male parent,Happy Returns. Happy Returns is primarily characterized by approximately3 inch fairly intense yellow flowers that have little or no fragrance.In comparison to Happy Returns, Fragrant Treasure has larger flowesrthat are a lighter shade of yellow and are much more fragrant.

The accompanying color photographic drawings show typical foliage andflower characteristics of Fragrant Treasure, with colors being as trueas possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a topperspective view of Fragrant Treasure in an approximately 10 inch pot.Sheet 2 is an enlarged side elevation view, showing the new cultivarmore true to size.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Brocaded Gown.

Pollen parent.--Happy Returns.

Classification:

Botanic.--Hybrid of genus Hemerocallis.

Commercial.--Daylily.

Form: Wide spreading.

Height: Approximately 22 inches.

Growth habit: Clump forming, moderately vigorous.

strength: Moderate.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Average.

Size of leaf.--15 inches long.

Shape of leaf.--Typical Hemerocallis.

Texture.--Fine to medium.

Color.--Medium to dark green, approximately 139A-B.

Roots:

Size.--6 inches long.

Color.--Tan.

THE BUD

Form: colunm shape.

Size: 23/4 inches long.

Opening: Flat.

Color: Green.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Very long, from early June continuous until October.

Size: 4 inches in diameter.

Borne: Perpendicular to flowering shape, on rigid scape.

Shape: Star.

Petalage:

number of Petals.--3 petals, 3 sepals.

Arrangement.--Star.

Color.--Upper surface: Approximately 4D. Lower surface: Approximately4D.

Longevity.--One day.

Spotting.--No markings.

Curvature.--Convexly curved toward tip, with tip curled downwardly andinwardly.

Margin.--Highly ruffled with longitudinal serration.

Color change: Color is very persistent but may fade slightly in very hotdays.

Texture: Crepe-like.

Appearance: Diamond dusted.

Disease resistance: No recognized problems.

Fragrance: Very fragrant.

Lasting quality: One day, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Flowering: In each growing season individual ramets will produce 3-4flowering scapes, thereby greatly extending the flowering period.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens, anthers:

Arrangement.--Central, erect.

Length.--Tall.

Number.--Four.

Filaments.--Color approximately 4D.

Anthers. --Color approximately 14A.

Pistils: Long.

Stigma: Color, light yellow.

FRUIT

Fertility: Highly fertile.

Shape: Spherical (round).

Color at maturity: Black.

I claim:
 1. As new and distinct cultivar of daylily plant named FragrantTreasure, as illustrated and described.